WTVM 9/20/12 Editorial: Voter ID

We're less than two months away from the election for president, along with many local and state offices.

It's important to know what you need to bring to the polls to be able to do your civic duty!

Seventeen states require photo identification to vote, including Georgia and Alabama.

According to a new study, 700,000 minority voters under age 30 nationwide may not be able to cast their ballot because of these photo ID laws. Some call it voter "suppression" but others defend the law, saying it protects voters and helps eliminate voter fraud.

In fact, an investigation by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution revealed since Georgia adopted the voter ID law, turnout among black voters "increased" by 44 percent from 2006 to 2010.

It was up nearly 70 percent for Hispanic voters.

There are several options: a state driver's license, valid government employee ID, U.S. passport, valid U.S. military photo ID, or tribal photo ID.

Don't have any of those? You can get a free Georgia voter ID card, which can be done at the Columbus Government Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At that same time and place, you can also check your voter status and register to vote.